Stirlingshire Accidents 1855-1870

This section contains newspaper reports on accidents in Stirlingshire from 1855 to 1870 inclusive. Please check the indexes in the Accidents Section for reports by the Inspector of Mines and accidents in other areas.

2 March 1863

Falkirk – Serious Accident - On Friday, a woman called Mary Bain was engaged at No. 9 Pit, Redding colliery, along with another woman, in "trimming" waggons, and while doing so several empty hutches which were standing about six yards off broke loose from their moorings, came against the waggon which was being trimmed, and propelled it along the line. Bain, in consequence lost her balance, and fell in betwixt the waggons, and a plank used in crossing the scree caught her by the throat, injuring her severely. She afterwards got entangled with the brake, and sustained a severe blow on the forehead. No hopes are entertained of her recovery. [Scotsman 3 March 1863]

NB Mary Bain, aged 36 died 2nd March 1863. The death was not registered until 2 April 1864.

13 March 1863

Fatal Accident At Denny - About mid-day on Friday, a miner named David Gillespie, residing at Bridgend, Denny, was killed in No. 2 Drummelzier ironstone pit, belonging to the Messrs Baird of Gartsherrie. He had been engaged "holeing," when an enormous stone got detached from the roof, and suddenly fell upon him, killing him instantaneously. Gillespie, on examination, was discovered to be severe1y smashed about the head, whilst other parts of his body were terribly squeezed. He was fifteen years of age. [Caledonian Mercury 16 March 1863]

Denny - Miner Killed - David Gillespie, a miner residing at Bridgend, Denny, lost his life in No.2 Drummulzier Ironstone Pit, belonging to Messrs. Baird of Gartsherrie, on Friday last, under the following distressing circumstances:- he had been engaged holing, when a large stone got detached from the roof of the mine, and suddenly fell upon him, depriving him almost instantly of life. A man called Thomson, who was working a short distance from Gillespie, heard the stone fall, and at once ran to the spot: but he found it impossible, owing to the immense size of the stone, to do anything for the unfortunate lad. The assistance of a number of men was procured ; but before the stone could be removed it had to be broken into several pieces. Gillespie, on examination, was found to be severely smashed about the head, whilst other parts of his body exhibited shocking evidence of having undergone a frightful squeezing. Deceased was fifteen years of age. [Glasgow Herald 16 March 1863]

13 March 1863

Singular Pit Accident - A somewhat singular accident occurred on the same day, at one of the pits at Dunipace, to a drawer named John Weir, living at Kirkslap. He had been in the act of bringing hutches filled with ironstone out of the workings into the ''cuddie" road, and while attaching one of them to the chain which guides the hutches down the incline to the ''bing," he inserted his "cleek" - a substitute for an arm which he had had shot off at the war in India - into an iron loop in the hutch, for the purpose of steadying it. Unfortunately, however, the hutch broke loose, and Weir was dragged down the whole length of the incline by the "cleek." He was taken home in a cart, and, on being examined, was found to be severely bruised and squeezed on various parts of the body. He is, however, progressing as favourably as can be expected. [Glasgow Herald 16 March 1863]

18 November 1863

Fatal Gunpowder Explosion Near Falkirk - One of the most frightful and alarming accidents which we have had to record in this district for a considerable length of time occurred on Wednesday afternoon at Binniehill Colliery, near Slamannan, The occasion of the catastrophe was a gunpowder explosion, and it has resulted in the death of one, and the serious injury of seven individuals. It would appear that a contractor for brushing, named Mr Daniel Thomson, has been in the habit of keeping his casks of gunpowder in a joiner's workshop. About five o'clock on the afternoon of Wednesday some of the men proceeded to the joiner's shop to get their flasks filled with gunpowder previous to beginning their work. The quantity of easiest access was insufficient for their purpose, and accordingly a new cask, containing twenty-five lbs. of gunpowder, was pierced by one of the party, named Robert Craig, who is the most seriously injured of the surviving sufferers. Having bored a hole in the cask, he took it up under his arm, and proceeded to empty out powder into the flasks of the workmen. He did this without the use of a proper funnel to guide the .powder into the flasks ; and while in the act of filling one which was held by a fellow-workman, named Archibald Thomson, a quantity of the explosive material went over the side of the flask, and fell amongst the shavings on the floor of the workshop. Observing the difficulty experienced by Craig in pouring the gunpowder out of the barrel and into the flask without spilling it, a boy, named John Cuthbert, incautiously approached him with a lamp, in order to give Craig more light, that he might the better accomplish his purpose. A moment thereafter a terrific explosion occurred, which was heard at a great distance from the scene of the accident, and the whole of those assembled were scattered about burned and bruised, and the workshop reduced to a heap of ruins. All who were present were more or less seriously injured, and a young boy, named Alexander Burt, was killed on the spot. The other men and boys were all scattered about more or less hurt, and, considering the expansive power of such a large quantity of gunpowder as 25 lbs., their escape with their lives seems almost miraculous. The following is a list of those who have suffered from the explosion, with an account of the injuries they have sustained- 1st, Alexander Burt, aged eight years, son of A miner named Adam Burt, residing at Binniehill, killed on the spot. 2d, Robert Craig, a brusher, aged twenty-four years, residing with Daniel Thomson, brusher, Slamannan, now lies in a house at Binniehill, in a dangerous state, being dreadfully burned about the face, arms, legs, and back, and also from the lower part of the abdomen up to the neck. 3d, Archibald Thomson, a brusher, aged thirty-five, residing at Newfield, who is now lying in a house at Binniehill, in a very bad state, being seriously burned about the face, head, arms, sides, and back. He is a married man, and has five of a family. 4th, James Hunter, a drawer, aged 16 years, son of Alexander Hunter, a miner, residing at Binniehill. He was taken home to his father's house in a cart, and his case is also regarded as dangerous. He was severely burned about the face, arms, legs, and left side. The three preceding cases are regarded as the worst. 5th, John Cuthbert, a drawer, aged 14 years, son of John Cuthbert, a pit-bottomer, residing at Binniehill, was badly burned about the face and arms. As Cuthbert was the lad who carried the lamp, it is a wonder that he was not even more severely wounded. 6th, Thos. Robertson, a waggon-greaser, aged 9 years, son of Thomas Robertson, a joiner, residing at Crossburn Cottage, was slightly burned about the face and arms. 7th, Thomas M'Cormick, aged 54 years, a drawer, son of John M'Cormick, shoemaker, Newfield Dyke, was slightly burned about the face and arms. 8th, David Ferguson, aged 8 years, residing with his mother, Logan Hunter or Ferguson, a widow, at Binniehill, was slightly cut about the head. Yesterday morning, inquiries were made at Dr King by Police-constable William M'Nab, of Slamannan, as to how his patients were progressing. The doctor replied that Craig, Thomson, and Hunter are still in a dangerous condition, and that he entertains doubts of their recovery. [Caledonian Mercury 21 November 1863]

NB Archibald Thomson died on 22 November and Robert Craig on 26 November 1863

19 November 1863

Denny Singular and Fatal Accident - A singular and fatal accident occurred on Thursday forenoon at Stripeside Ironside Pit, by which a young boy, named Thomas Currie, lost his life. It appears that the unfortunate boy who had left his work at Garth mine only a few minutes previously was standing at the mouth of the pit, when a loaded hutch was being drawn up the shaft. The rope raising it suddenly snapped between the pulleys and the pit head, and in its descent the end struck Currie on the head and killed him on the spot. The hutch, of course, was hurled down the shaft, but fortunately no one was at the bottom. The deceased was between ten and eleven years of age, and was son of a miner. [Scotsman 21 November 1863]

Denny - Singular and Fatal Accident - On Thursday forenoon, a lamentable accident occurred at Stripeside ironstone pit, by which a young boy, named Thomas Currie, was killed. It appears that the unfortunate lad, who had just left his work at Garth mine a few minutes previously, had been standing near the mouth of the pit when a hutch of ironstone was being drawn up the shaft. The rope raising it suddenly and unexpectedly snapped between the pulleys and the pit head, and in its descent the end struck the boy on the head and killed him on the spot. The hutch of ironstone was hurled to the bottom of the shaft, but fortunately no one was there at the time, otherwise the results might have been disastrous. We are informed that the rope gave way at a place where it had been spliced. The deceased was betwixt ten and eleven years of age, and was the son of a miner residing in Herbertshire Street. The matter is being investigated by the authorities. [Glasgow Herald 21 November 1863]

15 December 1863

Falkirk Fatal Accident – On Tuesday a woman, named Margaret Rankin, met with an accident at one of the Carronhall pits, which resulted fatally on the following evening. It appears that the poor woman had been taking a loaded waggon from under the screen, when her foot slipped, and she fell in before the hutch, which passed over her leg and arm. She was dreadfully injured, and died in great agony on the evening named. [Scotsman 18 December 1863]

8 February 1868

Lamentable Pit Accident – A lamentable accident occurred on Saturday morning to a miner, named William Bennie, at Standrig Colliery, near Falkirk, belonging to Mr Wilson of Bantaskine. The descent to the underground workings by the miners is made by a series of stairs cut out in the rock in close proximity to the main shaft. On the morning referred to, Bennie went to his work about 3 o'clock, and while making his way down the stairs, he lost his footing, and, falling through an opening in the shaft, was precipitated to the bottom, a distance from the point where the occurrence happened of about 20 fathoms. Some of his fellow workers who were following behind hear Bennie cry “Oh dear,” and immediately after a thud at the bottom of the shaft. They at once suspected that something was wrong, and on reaching the pit bottom they discovered Bennie in an insensible state. He was speedily conveyed home, and on the services of Dr Hamilton, of Falkirk, being obtained, it was discovered that both of the thigh bones of the unfortunate man were broken, in addition to severe injuries about the head. He lingered in great agony until Sunday morning, when death terminated his suffering. Deceased was married, and leaves a widow, but no family. [Herald February 11 1868]

10 February 1868

Serious Accident At Bannockburn Colliery - On Saturday evening, at half-past eleven o'clock, Alexander Stevenson, assistant-engineer at Bannockburn Colliery, went down the shaft to ascertain the depth of water accumulated, the engines being kept constantly going at the time in pumping out the water. He remained a long time, and his companion, becoming alarmed, went down the steps of the air shaft to ascertain the cause of his delay, when he found Stevenson caught between the fly-wheel of the engine and wall of the shaft, Stevenson was quite insensible when brought up, and unable to give any explanation as to how he came by the accident. His head and spine are seriously injured. [Scotsman 11 February 1868]

21 April 1868

Falkirk Fatal Pit Accident - On Tuesday evening, an accident took place at one of the pits belonging to the Grangemouth Coal Company, by which a miner was killed and another seriously injured. When the general body of the underground workers had finished their days labour, three men descended the pit for the purpose of levelling the roads, and while doing so, a mass of rock weighing upwards of a ton fell from the roof of the place where they were employed. One of the men, named William Chambers, was killed on the spot, and another named Dugald M'Farlane, while attempting to escape, was caught by the rock and, seriously injured on the back. Chambers was thirty-six years of age, and leaves a widow and six children. [Scotsman 23 April 1868]

28 October 1868

Fatal Result of an Accident – James M'Ewan, a miner, who was injured last week in one of the pits belonging to the Binniehill Colliery Company, died on Friday night from the effects of the injuries he sustained. He was 22 years of age. [Edinburgh Evening Courant 2 November 1868]

30 October 1868

Falkirk – Melancholy Pit Accident – A very lamentable accident happened on Friday last at Blackbraes, at one of the pits belonging to the colliery company there. Two men, while descending the pit in a cage, had scarcely left the pit bank when the rope which was letting down the cage snapped, and the men were hurled to the bottom of the shaft, a distance of 50 fathoms. The death was instantaneous, their bodies presenting a frightfully mangled appearance. The names of the unfortunate men are James Chalmers, a roadsman aged 33; and John Francis Sneddon, a miner aged 30. Chalmers leaves a wife and 7 children; Sneddon was unmarried. The rope was said to be in good order at the time of the accident, and no cause can be given for its breaking. [Edinburgh Evening Courant 2 November 1868]

15 September 1869

Kilsyth - Fatal Pit Accident - An alarming and fatal accident took place yesterday at Neilston Colliery belonging to Messrs James Wallace & Co. It appears that three men, Alexander Fisher, Robert Cudy, and Robert Boyd, had been working together. About ten o'clock they were endeavouring to put the roof in order, when a part of it came down. Fisher was killed almost instantaneously, being buried beneath the stone. Cudy was very severely bruised but hopes are entertained of his recovery, Fortunately Boyd left the place a few minutes before the stone full. Fisher leaves a wife and a large family. We understand that no blame is attached to anyone. [Glasgow Herald 16 September 1869]